Financial & Business News

NEWTOWN, PA — A young black bear has been making his way south through Bucks County this week, lighting up social media along the way. His journey began more than a week ago, north of Peace Valley Park, according to the Pennsylvania State Game Commission, which has been tracking his progress south through the county. He then appeared in several backyards in Doylestown Borough, where he was pictured in several social media posts. The bear then showed up along the Newtown Creek, which forms the border between Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. It was there that a South Sycamore Street resident caught a picture of "our black bear friend" next to a backyard dumpster Wednesday night and posted it to Facebook. A few days earlier, the was seen on North Sycamore Street behind Newtown Pizza. "Anytime a black bear makes its way down into suburban Philadelphia, it's usually quite a time," said State Game Warden Jim Crown, who covers Central and Lower Bucks County. "It draws a lot of attentio

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A downtown St. Petersburg coffee shop recently launched a new business model — it’s now doubling as a coffee shop during the day. While Bar Chinchilla at 439 1st Ave. N. has served beer and wine in an intimate setting at night for nearly six years, customers can now enjoy an espresso drink, cold brew and matcha during the day. “From a business standpoint, we don’t open until 4 o’clock every day. Our little spot just sits there most days not being used,” Lynsey Carlson, bar manager, told Patch. “We’ll have whole meetings in there. I’ll go in to get work done. It’s a nice, little spot in a nice, little, centrally located area.” See Also: There are also few coffee options in that area, which is just around the corner from St. Petersburg City Hall, she added. “So, why not bring the local coffee scene there?” Bar Chinchilla is known as “the smallest bar in St. Petersburg, though we have a ton of wine options,” according to Carlson. The co

CONNECTICUT — From sea chanteys in Essex to sourdough in Stonington, Connecticut is serving up a weekend stuffed with flavor, art, music, and mayhem. Hartford Taste, a two-day street festival brimming with culinary adventures, experimental art, and live music, takes over Downtown Hartford on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, from noon to 9 p.m. each day. Admission is free. We're guessing the vibe will be a smidge different at the Farmington Cultural District Live Art Walk on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Throughout the day, artists of all ages and mediums will bring Farmington Village to life as they create stunning works of art live for all to see. Stroll along Main Street, explore the artistic process up close, and bask in the overflow of creative energy. Admission is free. See Also: Here Are The Top 20 Golf Courses In Connecticut In 2025, According To Golf Digest The first weekend in June every year is the largest celebration of trails in the nation, and Connecticut is on it. The

CONCORD, NH — Law enforcement members took to Main Street on Thursday for the annual torch run for the Special Olympics. According to Mark Ericson of Special Olympics, the torch run has been held in the Granite State for 41 years. More than 150 agencies participate in the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Torch Run annually. For the last few weeks, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and others have carried the Flame of Hope around the state. On Thursday, they ran the torch in Manchester, Hillsborough, Franklin, and Concord, ending at the Statehouse and celebrating with a cookout. Ericson said the flame traveled more than 700 miles, “lighting the way for Special Olympics athletes in New Hampshire while championing for inclusion.” He said the resting stop of the torch will be Friday at UNH in Durham to kick off the State Summer Games. The games, Ericson said, were presented by Associated Grocers. Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on T

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdalean weekly newspaper responded Wednesday to a critic who questioned the publication's decision not to publish an advertisement. "A claim by a community member at the May 29 Hinsdale High School District 86 Board meeting that a district official, specifically board President Cat Greenspon, threatened the Hinsdalean with litigation regarding a potential advertisement is false," the newspaper said. The Hinsdalean did not name the resident, but it appeared to be referring to Yvonne Mayer, who spoke about the ad at the meeting in question. Facing the board on May 29, Mayer said the newspaper did not run the ad "out of fear of legal retaliation by you." She said residents specifically fear retaliation from Greenspon, as did many of the nearly 20 donors for the ad. "Just like Trump is running our nation, the board president of D86 rules by fear, so much so, that our local free press is afraid to run a paid ad and make $840 in the process with a statement protected

EDISON, NJ – The Township recently received a grant of $78,572.37 in 2025 Opioid Settlement Monies for the Department of Health & Human Services from the Distributor/Janssen Settlement Agreement. The Municipal Council requested the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of the amount as revenue in the Current Fund Budget for the CY 2025. “Investing opioid settlement funds into public outreach and prevention programs shows our commitment to the well-being of our community and future generations,” said Mayor Joshi. According to the resolution, the amount will be listed under ‘Miscellaneous Revenue’ in the budget. A landmark $18 billion nationwide settlement was reached in 2021 to resolve legal disputes between state and local governments and major opioid manufacturers and distributors. The agreement involves multiple distributors along with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, with payments spread across

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield administrators continue to hammer out the latest municipal budget, which is expected to be presented to the township council later this month. Township administrator Anthony DeZenzo provided an update on the 2025 budget at the council meeting on May 19. DeZenzo said he has been meeting with the town’s financial team, adding that they have been trying to pin down areas where budget cuts can be made. “As we're all aware, we're faced with federal and state budget cuts – and we're trying to adjust accordingly,” DeZenzo said. The proposed budget should be ready to be presented at the council’s next meeting in June, he added. The council conference meeting originally scheduled for June 9 has been rescheduled to June 16 at 6:30 p.m. A regular council meeting will take place on June 23 at 7 p.m. Meetings take place in the council chambers at the municipal building, 1 Municipal Plaza (2nd floor). Agendas for town council meetings are available online here

BROOKFIELD, CT — Brookfield is launching its first Restaurant Week, showcasing a growing and diverse local dining scene with a growing list of participating restaurants and a weeklong slate of specials, discounts and prize giveaways. The promotion will run from June 12 to June 21, following a kickoff "Sip & Savor" event at the Candlewood Inn. The celebration is the town’s latest effort to support small businesses and highlight the expanding array of restaurants along Federal Road and throughout the community. Community development specialist Greg Dembowski said the idea for Brookfield Restaurant Week came from a marketing professional behind similar events in Danbury, Southbury and Newtown. Dembowski said he quickly realized the timing was right for Brookfield to get involved. “As I thought about all the new restaurants that have opened, especially along the Federal Road corridor, and how I’ve heard comments from residents about a lack of variety, it became clear we actually ha

BROOKLINE, MA — Town Meeting members voted unanimously Wednesday to designate Brookline as a sanctuary town for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. The vote was specifically about adopting a resolution that declares transgender and other LGBTQ+ students enrolled in the public school district are supported and made to feel safe during their education, trans residents have appropriate accommodations such as restrooms in all public facilities, that local authorities cannot and will not pursue anyone for seeking and providing gender-affirming care, and more. “Across the country, a wave of legislation has specifically targeted transgender youth and their families, leading to alarming governmental overreach. Nearly half of these bills have resulted in state attorneys general attempting to obtain medical records, conduct invasive investigations, and otherwise threaten patients and their loved ones,” the article’s petition said. “In Texas, the governor has escalated t

Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.